After being pardoned by his father, President Joe Biden, his eldest son, Hunter Biden, said on Sunday that he was “taking responsibility for his mistakes, which were exploited to humiliate and humiliate me and my family as a political sport in public.” “I took it,” he said.
Hunter Biden, 54, was convicted in two separate federal cases earlier this year. He was first convicted of three felony federal firearms violations in June and pleaded guilty to another felony tax case in September.
“I have acknowledged and taken responsibility for the mistakes I made during the darkest days of my addiction,” Hunter Biden said in a statement to Fox News. It was used to humiliate and humiliate me.” “Despite all of this, I have been able to maintain sobriety for over five years thanks to my deep faith and the unwavering love and support of my family and friends.”
“In the throes of addiction, I have wasted many opportunities and advantages,” he continued. “If we never take for granted the mercy given to us, we will have the opportunity to make as much amends and rebuild our lives as possible during our recovery. I'm going to dedicate my life to that.''I have turned my back to helping those who are still suffering from this disease. ”
Biden pardons son Hunter Biden before leaving White House
Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, departs from the J. Caleb Boggs Federal Building in Wilmington, Delaware on June 3, 2024. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
The pardon for the president's son, announced by the White House on Sunday night, covers crimes against the United States that Hunter Biden “committed or may have committed” between January 1, 2014 and December 1, 2024. Applicable.
“Today, I signed a pardon for my son Hunter,” Biden said in a statement. “From the day I took office, I said I would not interfere in the decision-making of the Department of Justice, and I kept that promise even as I watched my son be selectively and unfairly prosecuted.”
The outgoing president also claimed that his son was “treated differently” in a criminal case.
“Absent aggravating factors such as use in a crime, multiple purchases, or purchasing a weapon as a straw purchaser, people are rarely tried for felonies solely because of the way they filled out a gun application.” said the statement. “Non-criminal resolutions are typically available for people who missed paying their taxes due to severe addiction, but then repaid them with interest and penalties. It's clear Hunter was treated differently. ”
Additionally, President Biden said the lawsuit against his son only arose due to Republican opposition and his victory over President-elect Donald Trump in the 2020 election.
“The charges in his case only arose after several of my political opponents in Congress attacked me and incited me to oppose my election,” the president said. “Then, a carefully negotiated plea deal agreed to by the Justice Department unraveled in court. Many of my political opponents in Congress take credit for bringing political pressure to this process. Had a deal been held, a plea bargain would have been made.''Hunter's case resulted in a fair and reasonable resolution. ”
Biden won't spare Hunter, White House reaffirms, but critics aren't so sure
President Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden embrace on stage at the end of the first day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) at the United Center on August 19, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images)
“No rational person considering the facts of Hunter's case can come to any other conclusion than that Hunter was chosen solely because he is my son, and that is wrong,” he continued. . “In the face of relentless attacks and selective prosecution, there was an effort to break down Hunter, who has been sober for five and a half years. But there's no reason to do that.'' Trust me, it will stop here. ”
The president also blamed the charges against his son on “raw politics.”
“Throughout my career, I have followed a simple principle: Just tell the American people the truth,” he said. “They're going to have a fair heart. That's the truth. I believe in the justice system, but as I've wrestled with it, I've seen raw politics infect this process and it's a miscarriage of justice.” I also believe it led to this. There was no point in delaying this decision further this weekend.”
“I hope the American people understand why my father and president is making this decision,” he concluded.
Court documents obtained by Fox News show Hunter Biden signed legal approval for the pardon.
President Biden's decision to pardon his son is a departure from multiple statements he made to the media over the summer that he would not pardon his eldest son.
President Joe Biden's son Hunter Biden attends an event celebrating the 2024 U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Team on the South Lawn of the White House on September 30, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo credit: Celal Gunes/Anadolu, Getty Images)
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In the gun case, Hunter Biden was charged with making a false statement when purchasing a gun, making a false statement related to information required to be maintained by a federally licensed gun dealer, and He was found guilty of being in possession of a firearm. Illegal users or addicts of controlled substances.
Specifically, prosecutors asked for proof that he lied in October 2018 when he checked a “no” box when asked about being an illegal drug user or addicted to controlled substances on his federal firearms registration.
Another trial involved three felonies and six misdemeanors for failing to pay at least $1.4 million in taxes. Hunter Biden entered his guilty plea as jury selection was about to begin in Los Angeles federal court.
Trump previously said during his campaign that he would consider pardoning Hunter Biden.
